Connie Bennett, CHHC, CPC, ACC, is author of the bestselling book, Sugar Shock!, which has been praised by Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Marilu Henner, Dr. Joseph Mercola, film producer Harvey Weinstein and many others. Connie is a sought-after speaker, a certified life coach, a certified health counselor, an experienced journalist and the host of the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show (www.GabWithTheGurus.com), for which she interviews top experts in a variety of fields. For instance, guests have included Suzanne Somers, Montel Williams, Lisa Rinna and Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Connie – who has been off sugar since 1998 – is now known as the Sugar-Freedom Coach, because she has helped thousands of people around the world to let go of their of their sugar addiction or other bad habits (what she calls babits™). Connie also is the Book Visioning Coach, who helps aspiring or published authors to write or promote a book. She hosts several three blogs, www.SugarShockBlog.com, www.WriteABookBeforeYouDie.com and www.GabWithTheGurusBlog.com, as well as blogs on the Huffington Post and Psychology Today.

Connie is founder of the popular, innovative Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks System, a warm-hearted, empowering, mind/body/spirit approach to releasing your sugar habits so that you can Get a Life That Rocks™. You can join this program at www.BreakFreeWithConnie.com.

In addition, Connie is a sought-after TV and radio guest, who has appeared on “Oprah & Friends Radio,” “CBS News Sunday Morning,” “The Howard Stern Show” and many others. Her book Sugar Shock! has been featured in TIME, Woman’s World, Women’s Health, the Chicago Tribune and many other publicaitons or websites. Connie has contributed to many media outlets such as AOL News, eDiets.com and SheKnows.com.

Connie is now completing her next book, Candies & Cookies Can’t Give You What You Really Want—6 Weeks to Sweetness & Sugar Freedom (Working Title). To learn more about Connie, visit www.SugarShock.com, where you can learn how to connect with her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter and listen to her Gab with the Gurus Radio Show.

Q & A: I, Connie, Interview Me, Myself & I

Q: Who are you, Connie, and why should we listen to you and your information about health, wellness and lifestyle topics?

A: Well, first you have to know about the Connie back in 1998 (actually way before then). She was a pooped-out, fuzzy-headed, depression-plagued, sugar-obsessed chick with the life force of a slug trapped under a boulder. Suffice it to say that I'd hit rock bottom and was regularly walloped by a whopping 44 symptoms, including scary heart palpitations, severe PMS and ferocious headaches. In addition, I was hooked on dessert foods and simple, processed, fast-acting, "culprit carbs" like red licorice (my big weakness), hard candies in several flavors and chocolate-covered peanuts. In short, I was a junk food junkie. Sound familiar?

Q: You then found yet another doctor -- one of many you'd seen over the years. What did he tell you to do?

A: My new physician "prescribed" that I quit all sweets and refined carbs and eat frequent, healthy meals to banish my many symptoms. Reluctantly, I followed his advice.

Q: So you kicked sweets and processed carbs. How did that help you?

A: Much to my delight, all of my perplexing maladies simply disappeared after kicking sweets and what I call "quickie carbs" (or "much-like-sugar carbs"). Soon, I regained my energy, enthusiasm, and elation. Not to sound trite, but I felt reborn!

Q: So your experience is led you to begin your book SUGAR SHOCK!

A: Yes, after my remarkable transformation, I launched on an extensive, multi-year investigation into the connection between over-consumption of sweets and a myriad of ailments such as fatigue, depression, mood swings, hypoglycemia, and diabetes.

Q: What is SUGAR SHOCK! about?

A: It's essentially an exposé about the dangers of sugars and refined carbs. And it also offers many tips to help "sugar addicts" to break free of their habit. It leaves you on a hopeful note.

Well, my intention is for it to be a lively, provocative and thoughtful site, where you can find rants, raves, insights, news tidbits and more related to health, wellness and fitness, with an emphasis on sugar and artificial sweeteners. You also can get news, commentary and inside info about junk-food marketing to kids, the role of positive thinking, celebrity fitness trends (good and bad), recent research that links diet to diseases, tips and tactics to conquer your bad habits, links to fascinating articles, guest articles and more.

Q: Why are you using the word "sugars" instead of "sugar"? Aren't you making a mistake?

A: Actually, I'm not. Here's the thing: Most people tend to get confused by the word "sugar." Yes, the term, "sugar," often means sucrose, but it also signifies more than 100 other kinds of sweeteners. For example, high fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, dextrose, fruit juice concentrates, honey, barley malt, and evaporated cane juice are all sugars.

Q: What is your ultimate goal with your book, blog, coaching and articles?

A: My goal is to to provide much-needed support, nurturing, information, encouragement and motivation to millions of people around the world, who yearn to break free of their bad habits, including sugar addiction. It's my staunch belief that just kicking sugar and other bad habits (or at least cutting back drastically on them), you'll become more happy, healthy and productive. I want people to discover the joys of living in a more wholesome way, so that they can experience lots of energy, enthusiasm, exuberance, vitality, stamina and joie de vivre.

Q: Let's say I'm horribly hooked on sugars and processed carbs and I want help. What do I do now?

A: Please, if you feel you have a sugar or carb problem and are experiencing any strange, baffling symptoms, first find a physician; get into therapy; join a support group; and visit this blog often. Also, visit my website, www.SugarShock.com, to get lots of free stuff, including a quiz, shopping list and ezine full of tips and advice.

Q: I need help to kick. Do you coach people to kick sugar and other bad habits?

Yes, I do work with a small group of private clients, and I lead group programs, too. Learn more at http://www.CoachingWithConnie.com or write to me.

Q: Kicking sugar is so hard! Is it worth it?

A: Yes. Kicking or cutting back on sweets and those culprit carbs is totally worth it! The benefits are tremendous! But don't take my word for it. Take the SUGAR SHOCK! Challenge, which I issue on page 71 of my book. Bet you'll learn, as I have, that you can "Enjoy a Sweeter Life Without Refined Sweets(TM).

Do you need bloggers for your Sugar Shock Blog?

Yes, we're seeking edgy, entertaining, quick-witted, fast-working bloggers, who specialize in a variety of fields. You have to be able to be brief and to the point. To apply, please write to me. And sorry, there's no pay.

Q: Are you married? Do you have kids?

A: I don't know what this has to do with the subject of sugar or getting your fill now, but to answer your question, no, I'm not married, and I don't have kids.

Q: Why not?

A: [Chuckle.] Well, put it this way: For years, I was simply more enthralled with sweets than finding a sweetheart! LOL! Then, since late 2001, when I began researching my book SUGAR SHOCK!, much of the time, I badly neglected my social life to complete and later promote my book. But I've now re-prioritized, and I'm taking ample time for an active, fulfilling social life. So if you know of a man who's fun, funny, full of energy (like I am), and whose fridge isn't packed with sugary junk food, feel free to send him my way? Oh, and if he knows what tofu, flax and millet are, that's a big plus! [Giggle!]